Farmers Commend USDA Efforts to Protect Livestock

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on USDA’s announcement that it will open a domestic sterile fly production facility to battle the New World screwworm.

"Farm Bureau commends Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and the Trump administration for committing the necessary resources to continue the battle to prevent the New World screwworm from entering the United States and affecting our cattle herd. Secretary Rollins and USDA have answered the call of cattle producers across the country by establishing a domestic sterile fly production facility in Texas.

“It took decades to eradicate this parasite from within and adjacent to our borders more than a generation ago, and this is a proactive first step. Cattle markets are already volatile and the introduction of New World screwworm within the U.S. would only increase that volatility.

“We thank USDA and Secretary Rollins for her leadership protecting the domestic cattle industry and we stand ready to help ensure the speedy and efficient construction of this facility and implementation of the updated plan."